FROM THE CHAMBER: Why travel to China?

"Oh, the Places You'll Go!" Since yesterday was the birthday of Dr. Seuss, I thought it appropriate to use his words to entice you to consider traveling to China with the Chamber and the community by touching upon some of the extraordinary places you'll go.

From plazas to squares, temples to palaces, museums to gardens, lakes to hills, tombs to institutes, music to markets, pagodas to tea houses, pavilions to walls, bridges to dragons, buddhas to waterfronts...you must agree some pretty incredible places!

Here are some interesting comparisons:

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United States is 3,717,796 square miles. China is 3,695,500.

The population of the United States is 280 million. China's population is 1.3 billion.

The United States has 145 million workers. China has 757 million.

China has experienced annual double-digit growth and is currently one of our country's largest trading partner for exports.

American companies in greater Shanghai number 16,000.

There are 1.3 million private cars in Beijing.

There are 300 plus skyscrapers in Shanghai.

The Great Wall is 4,000 miles and took 10 years to build.

Why, you are asking, would one consider these facts about China? I have had the opportunity to travel to China twice in collaboration with Alan Seitz, former Chairman of the Board of the Seitz Corporation. Those experiences really piqued my interest in China. Their successful operation in Changzhou, a part of the Zhonglou District, has created additional opportunity for growth here in Torrington. Late last fall, I met Leo Liu, the President of Citslinc International at a New England Chamber Executive conference. He convinced me that the changes that have occurred in China would shock me and worth viewing.

Please consider joining us from Oct. 21-29. This is open to Chamber members, guests and the entire community. We will be flying from JFK to Beijing, visiting Tiananmen Square, the Temple of Heaven, the Palace Museum and the Great Wall.

Next stop will be Suzhou, the Venice of Asia, to see beautiful gardens, the Embroidery Institute and a show featuring traditional Chinese music.

Our English speaking guide will take us to Hangzhou that will include a visit to the Economic Development Zone. No trip would be complete without a few days in Shanghai sightseeing on the Bund, their famous waterfront and the Yu Garden.

If you're not already considering this venture, just think about the shopping.

We'll see silk, jade, pearls, art embroidery and the very busy marketplaces where we'll have every opportunity to make amazing purchases.

Please call me immediately if you are interested in learning more about this trip of a lifetime.

As Dr. Seuss would say: "Out there things can happen and frequently do to people as brainy and footsy as you." So - get out your luggage and put on your comfortable shoes and join us!